“Actually there are ups and downs. There are times when I feel more elated and also times when I feel more down. On the outside I try my best to smile and be calm as much as possible.” I had asked Takasumi if he was as peaceful on the inside as he appears to be so often on his outer appearance.
“I am making the effort to achieve that.”
Today Takasumi looks and feels tired. “It is getting difficult.” Earlier in the race he had a number of physical issues that now seem to be resolved. “Now I feel exhaustion and tiredness have been accumulating. In that way the race is getting more challenging.”
Yesterday Takasumi had a good day with 61 miles. He starts day 17 with 957 miles and will by this evening pass 1000 miles.
“I don’t think about the next day I just go home with a feeling of accomplishment. Because no matter how tired I am at the end of the day You never know what the next day brings. The next day I may wake up refreshed and without tiredness. So I just try and stay with feeling of what I have accomplished each day.”
The Board at the start of Day 17
Camp
Clock
Rupantar and Medur
Wei Ming checking the board
Annugata
Sri Chinmoy Ultra Photo arrives
Nina
Wei Ming shows some artwork
Stutisheel
Wei Ming is ready
Andrea
Start Day 17
Andrea did 72 miles
He now has 1121
He leads Wei Ming by 95 miles
Flower
Arpan helping Andrea
Anjali counting
Wei Ming did 63 miles
He now has 1026 miles
Sometimes he really sprints
A friend has come by
Remarkable
Flower
Fresh figs from Samahita
Harita completed 1000 miles last night. (photo by Garima)
She starts the day with 1003 miles
She ran 63 miles
With her helper Ro
Flower
Camp
A special thanks to Harashita for her help with Takasumi
Vasu completed 1000 miles late this afternoon (photo by Garima )
Vasu ran 65 miles yesterday
He started the day with 973 miles
He is looking healthier and stronger
Flower
Swamiji
Stutisheel ran 57 miles
He now has 954 miles
Camp
Flower
Stutisheel receiving mail
Ananda-Lahari ran 52 miles
He now has 942 miles
Wei Ming showing him how to wear sport sandals. (photo by Stutisheel)
Green
Nina and Anjali
The umbrellas goes up
Nothing significant
Can ever be accomplished.
Gratias for another inspiring day—each runner is so valiant!
Thank you so much for all the stories, photos and videos from this day and all the days, Utpal. Your work really helps to share the journey and consciousness of the overall race, the amazing runners and all the selfless helpers. Gratitude from South Africa!
Thanks, Utpal for the super interview. Takasumi and Nina seem to be taking up this 3,100 miles of uncharted territory with such care, courage and dignity. I wish them both well. I love the attitude of newness: ‘you never know… I may wake up refreshed and without tiredness”. Thanks to Harashita for translation.
Me again, re-reading today’s story— that photo of Wei Ming and Ananda-Lahari with the sandals is my favourite moment, what a beauty!